2 Off-Duty Volunteer Firefighters Dead After Falling into Manure Tank Filled with Toxic Fumes
Tyler Memory and Nathan Doody were identified as the victims in the incident
Hartwell Funeral Home
From Left: Nathan Doody; and Tyler MemoryTwo off-duty volunteer firefighters, including one who tried to rescue the other, died after falling into a manure tank in New York, authorities said.
Tyler Memory, 29, and Nathan Doody, 33, were identified as victims, according to the ABC affiliate WSYR, the New York Daily News and local New York affiliate WKTV.
The men died after they fell inside the vehicle containing toxic fumes at Champion Farm in Clinton on Thursday, June 13, the outlets reported.
Related: Three Ohio Brothers Die from Fumes after Falling in a Manure Pit
At the time, both men were working for Dairy Support Services, a contracting company that plants, fertilizes and harvests for farms, Syracuse.com reported.
The Kirkland Police Department said one of the victims tried "to retrieve a piece of equipment that had fallen into the tanker," according to the Daily News and WKTV.
"When the male went to retrieve the equipment, he passed out and fell inside of the tanker," the police added, per the outlets.
It's unclear whether Memory or Doody fell first.
PEOPLE has reached out to the farm for comment. The Kirkland Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
While speaking to Syracuse.com, Dan Neenan, director at the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, said that manure can release fumes like hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide.
According to Neenan, the former "is the most dangerous gas," and "in high concentrations, causes unconsciousness, respiratory failure and death within minutes."
Memory’s mom, Kim, told the outlet that the gasses "were just too strong." She added, “We’ll never know what happened.”
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Memory was a 15-year member of the Tully Joint Fire Department, who joined when he was 14 years old, according to his obituary.
"His devotion over the past years was proven as he was often the first to arrive and ready for the call," his tribute added. "Tyler has impacted many others as he is well known for his eagerness to accomplish any task.
Doody, a father and husband, had been a 10-year member of the Cuyler Fire Department, his obituary noted.
The obituary added, "Nathan is remembered for his happy, loving, giving, joking personality. If there was ever someone in need, he would be there in a heartbeat to assist or be ready with a joke, good or bad, to attempt to put a smile on your face."
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